material injury. It was sold, a considerable time ago, to a tradesman of Southampton, much obscured with filth and rust, as a piece of old metal. He gave it to a friend, whom curiosity induced to clean it; and it has since been carefully preserved. Behind the abbey was a garden, which is still enclosed. At the end of it is an old building, containing several apartments, in a state of extreme ruin; of which we are unable to point out the use. The abbey appears to have been formerly surrounded by a moat, which may still be partly traced. At a short distance above the abbey, are two fish ponds, which belonged to the monks. The first of them is nearly square, delightfully edged with undergrowth, backed by flourishing oaks. The upper pond is highly beautiful, being free from weeds, partly overhung by fine trees, but open to the right, towards the adjoining farm house; in which quarter a gently sloping field rises from its edge. On the shore, at a little distance from the abbey, towards the south west, stands Netley fort. There is nothing remarkable in its construction. It has been ignorantly supposed by some, to have been connected with the abbey, and intended for its defence; but it was not erected till the time of Henry VIII, when he built Calshot and the other castles in this neighbourhood. There are good water views from the fort. A different walk may be had, in the return from Netley, by taking a path to the right, in the wood through which we first approached the abbey; which leads into a road, at Tuckleford pond, conducting to Itchen ferry. They who prefer the ride to Netley, { cross Northam bridge, and take the direct road as far as the common; whence, turning to the right, they presently enter a lane, leading to Pear-tree green. Immediately beyond the church, the road takes another lane; through which, avoiding a turn on the left, we pass to a common; and, still inclining to the right, shortly reach the Hamble road. About a mile and a half further, on the right, a road leads to Netley. |